More than 300 boys braved 9-degree temperatures Saturday in
Redding to participate in the Scatacook District's annual
Klondike derby. One of the main goals is to teach Boy Scouts
the history of the Alaskan Klondike. Adding a twist to the
sled-pushing competition this year: All of the Scouts in a
troop, except one, had to negotiate the course blindfolded.
The course was made of ropes tied to trees. Above: Tyler
Meine, left, and Andrew Vill charge through the arctic cold
hauling Troop 49 of Ridgefield's dogsled through the course.
The News-Times/Photos by Wendy Carlson

Klondike Derby teaches teamwork

By Peter Hagan

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-TIMES

REDDING The snow and ice aren't likely to disappear any time soon
if the current cold weather continues. But there were at least 300
boys Saturday at the John Sherman Hoyt Reservation who were glad of
it.

The 9-degree weather Saturday was nearly ideal for those boys
participating in the Scatacook District's annual Klondike Derby. The
snow on the ground was perfect for the sleds the boys had to push
around.

"It would be nice if it were about 10 degrees warmer," said Dave
Perkins, one of three chairmen of the derby. "But if it gets too
warm the snow starts to melt and then you're in trouble. You really
can't complain when you've got smooth snow like this and a nice
sun."

Two of the main goals of the derby every year are to teach the
Scouts teamwork and the history of the Alaskan Klondike. The
coordinators of this year's derby tried to combine those two
elements when organizing the challenges the Scouts would have to
face during the derby.

The sites of the challenges were called cities and were named
after actual places on the Alaskan Klondike. The obstacle course the
Scouts had to face was located on top of a hill and was named Dinali,
which is the American Indian name for Alaska's Mount McKinley.

The obstacle course itself was entirely a lesson in teamwork and
communication. All the Scouts in a troop, except one, had to
negotiate the course blindfolded. It was the job of the Scout who
could use his eyes to make sure that no one fell behind.

In addition to being blindfolded, the Scouts had to move as a
pack through the course. The had to form a kind of human train so no
one would get lost.

The course was entirely made of ropes tied to trees. The Scouts
used the rope to help them stay on the path. Occasionally they would
have to duck under a rope to continue on the course. One Danbury
troop found the ducking part especially difficult.

"I had a really tough time getting the guys over and under the
lines that were in the path," said Alex Csengery, 14, of Danbury,
who led his troop through the course. "I tried to communicate to
them verbally but at times I needed to communicate to them
physically."

While Csengery might have been frustrated by the course, his
fellow Scouts had a different experience.

"It was weird being blindfolded; I really needed somebody to lead
me," said Michael Ortega, 13, Danbury. "My new New Year's resolution
is to not go blind."

Some of the adult participants dressed up as famous figures from
the Klondike. Wyatt Earp, who made his fortune in the Klondike, was
among those present.

The News-Times Online Edition is published daily
Monday through Sunday. The News-Times provides news for the
towns of Danbury, Bethel, Bridgewater,
Brookfield, Washington, New Milford, New
Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield,
Sherman and Southbury Connecticut.